Shows
Creating Value in SchoolsBe kind: how to entice teachers and governors into our schools‘We need to take the pressure off.’
Chair of governors and experienced educator John Viner talks candidly about pressure points and retention challenges, along with creative solutions to attract and keep talent in our schools.
The teacher shortage is real and worsening, with multiple pressures driving people away.
Be kind: school leaders need to create supportive environments where teachers feel valued and believed in.
Get creative with recruitment routes: don't just look for traditional graduates.
Governor recruitment needs fresh thinking too: ditch the endless committee meetings, tap into local networks, and remember you don't need education expe...2025-06-0328 min
Creating Value in SchoolsOptimism and opportunity: creating an income generation culture‘You never know what’s out there until you try.’
Justin Smith, specialist in marketing and income generation support for schools, shares lessons learned on the path to fundraising and shows why relationships matter.
Culture and leadership matter. If school leaders and governors are on board, everything else becomes easier.
Cash isn’t the only win. Income generation includes donations, partnerships, skills, volunteer time – even equipment loans.
It’s all about relationships. People give when they care. Build connections, understand motivations, and let others feel part of the school’s success story.
More from the Creating Value...2025-05-0237 min
Creating Value in SchoolsListening to the community: diversity and inclusion strategies for lasting impact'So if you're not listening, then you know, what are you doing?'
How do you drive real change in schools through DEI? Aldaine Wynter, Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion, shares his journey, strategies, and the impact of meaningful community engagement.
Suggestions from Aldaine
Start by listening. Before diving into big initiatives, take time to understand your school community’s needs.
Make DEI part of the culture. Whether it’s curriculum audits, book clubs, or community spotlights, integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into school life, not just one-off events.
Use data to drive change. Surveys and ev...2025-04-0437 min
Creating Value in SchoolsCall them honest: conversations to empower, understand and resolve'It’s about developing a relationship, it's about developing somebody's work, it's about the truth.'
Do you dread tough conversations? Nickii Messer shares how to reframe them as ‘honest conversations’, build trust, and keep a focus on what matters – the life chances and wellbeing of children in the school.
Top tips from Nickii:
Avoidance makes it worse
Listen to understand, not just to fix
Believe in yourself and take action.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog
2025-03-0526 min
Creating Value in SchoolsEnjoy what you do: hope, joy and staying powerGive people an experience that they genuinely enjoy, so they want to stick around.
What keeps people in the teaching profession? Headteachers Josephine Smith and Carl Smith discuss staying power, joy and why retention matters.
Finding joy in the job keeps people in education long-term.
Staying power comes from feeling like you’re doing well and making a difference.
Stay curious. Keep reading and engaging with education.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog
2025-02-0431 min
Creating Value in SchoolsLooking ahead: what can we expect from education policy in the upcoming year?There’s a lot in the air, and a lot on the table.
Caroline Doherty, Head of Public Affairs at Ark, considers potential changes ahead.
What’s happening with the Ofsted report cards?
What are the implications for accountability systems?
What does it mean to have a truly inclusive education system, and do we have the workforce to provide it?
Do we have a reason to be cheerful in Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson?
Get more inspiration from the Creating Value in Schools blog.
2025-01-3009 min
Creating Value in SchoolsYou can't turn off the machine: investing time in school leadershipCaroline Doherty, Head of Public Affairs at Ark, reflects on the challenge of balancing innovation and improvement alongside the daily realities of school life.
Tips from Caroline
You can't do everything. Recognise limits and embrace the unpredictability of school life.
Prioritise your time. Identify your key goals and align your daily actions to move them forward.
Meetings aren't always the answer. Explore alternatives like shared documents or messaging systems to save time.
Flexible leadership works. Empowering teams with autonomy can improve retention, decision-making, and overall effectiveness – part-time senior leadership is possible with the right structure.
Find...2025-01-2924 min
Creating Value in SchoolsSeeking the co-benefits: people, planet – and financial efficiencyChief Finance and Sustainability Officer Paul Edmond explains why asking questions is essential to a sustainability journey – but ‘can we afford it?’ is now last on his list.
Tips from Paul
Sustainability is everyone's job. Tackling climate action in schools isn't about one person or department – it’s a team effort. Engage everyone and start conversations to bring people on board.
Quick wins are within reach. Small steps like reducing food and energy waste can cut costs and carbon footprints.
Look for co-benefits. Many actions, like improving biodiversity or rethinking school uniforms, offer multiple wins – environmental, financial, and...2025-01-2625 min
Creating Value in SchoolsKeep going: routes to sustainable improvement and finding your whyPaul K. Ainsworth shares his strategies for a sustainable, step-by-step, people-centred approach to school improvement.
Tips from Paul
Be adaptable: there’s no one-size fits all approach to school improvement. Consider what’s needed for your context.
Be consistent: consistency in schools is about a shared understanding and approach, rather than making everything identical.
Be people-centred: evaluate with honesty, plan with empathy, execute with confidence and review with humility.
Be a coach: your most important role is helping others improve, whether it's headteachers, senior leaders, or teachers.
Think marginal gains, not silver bullets: there are no quick fixe...2025-01-2232 min
Creating Value in SchoolsThe art of balance: survival skills for school leadersHow do you stay sane in the intensity of school leadership? In the second part of our conversation, Josephine Smith talks about knowing your priorities, knowing yourself and fostering balance.
Tips from Jo:
Start with clear priorities: Use your school’s vision and development plan as a guide.
Don’t get distracted: Politely delay less urgent requests, balancing the needs of others with your priorities.
Manage your stress: Invest in mental health training for staff to better support themselves and each other.
Know your strengths: Be self-aware. Recognise when to delegate tasks and let your team shine. ...2025-01-2221 min
Creating Value in SchoolsNavigating the unexpected: advice for school leadersA flexible, responsive school leader is going to stay so much saner.
Headteacher Josephine Smith shares what she’s learned about maintaining poise and positivity in the face of things you can’t control.
Top tips from Jo:
Accept that not everything in school leadership can be controlled. Unexpected events are part of the role!
Embrace creativity when facing uncontrollable challenges. Try and view these moments as opportunities to think creatively and adapt.
Build a supportive professional network to share resources, seek advice and generate solutions.
A strong network not only helps with practical proble...2025-01-2209 min
The Pregnancy to Parenting Show with Elizabeth JoyEp 255: How to Be a Working Mom When There are No Working Dads with Jenna WorthenJENNA WORTHEN is the founder of Mom Who Works, an organization that aims to support working mothers. Jenna is tired of all of the biases that come with the term "working mother" - less pay and career mobility, unnecessary bias, and mom guilt, to name a few. Her new book, Mom Who Works, supports the working mothers who live in a world without the phrase "working dads" by teaching actionable strategies to seamlessly incorporate the Mother in you into each and every part of your life. Check out Jenna's book: https://www.momwhoworks.com/ htt...2023-02-271h 03
Talk Music Talk with boiceTMT 226: Sam PearcePast guest Sam Pearce returns to TMT on the eve of two new projects: Hold Me Rare Animal, the just-released EP and a full-length (Bay State) arriving later in the year. While the singer- songwriter’s Bay State album bears the marking of a complete artistic statement, the EP is a collection of meaningful moments. All Bandcamp proceeds from Hold Me Rare Animal will benefit The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. [This episode features “Honey” and “Beginners” from Hold Me Rare Animal in their entirety.] Visit Sam Pearce online: https://samuelpearce.bandcamp.com https://instagram.com/sampear...2021-03-051h 01
Finding CenterQualities of an Effective LeaderQualities of an Effective Leader We first hear from Peggy S. Worthen in her devotional address "Choose to Be a Leader." Next, we hear Liz Wiseman's forum address "The Power of Not Knowing."2020-06-2550 min
Finding CenterQualities of an Effective LeaderQualities of an Effective Leader
We first hear from Peggy S. Worthen in her devotional address "Choose to Be a Leader." Full audio, video, and transcript available at:
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/peggy-s-worthen/choose-to-be-a-leader/
Next, we hear Liz Wiseman's forum address "The Power of Not Knowing." Full audio, video, and transcript available at:
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/liz-wiseman/the-power-of-not-knowing/2020-06-2550 min
Finding CenterQualities of an Effective LeaderQualities of an Effective LeaderWe first hear from Peggy S. Worthen in her devotional address "Choose to Be a Leader." Full audio, video, and transcript available at:https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/peggy-s-worthen_choose-to-be-a-leader/Next, we hear Liz Wiseman's forum address "The Power of Not Knowing." Full audio, video, and transcript available at:https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/liz-wiseman_the-power-of-not-knowing/2019-06-1950 min
Talk Music Talk with boiceTMT 175: Samuel WorthenIt's always refreshing to catch a talented artist carving their path into a career that will be filled with highlights. Such is the case with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Samuel Worthen. Maybe you recognize his face from his modeling gigs, but that's just a day job until your fall in love with his voice. Over the past year he's been refining his sound with top-notch singles including the latest “1 on 1” which is included in this episode along with 2018’s “Talk to Me”. Visit Samuel Worthen online: https://samuelworthen.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/samuel.worthen 2019-02-151h 19